There is an essential irony in this verse. It is essential in that it touches the very essence and fabric of reality. It is a state of affairs that is woven into the very fibers of existence. "Evil will slay the wicked." (Psalm 34:21 NIV) Evil is self-consuming. The evilness of that which is evil … Continue reading Bible Note #34: Evil Will Slay the Wicked — Psalm 34:21
Tag: theology
Pastor Note #81: The Problem with Hymns
Recently, in an on-line discussion forum for pastors in the Reformed tradition, I read a complaint by one of the participants that he could not comprehend the appeal of what are sometimes called “7-11” songs – praise choruses that, it is claimed, are seven words long and are repeated over and over eleven times. He … Continue reading Pastor Note #81: The Problem with Hymns
Quote #13 — God as He Is
"But how far removed from the idea of the New Testament are the insipid words of the hymn which says, 'He came sweet influence to impart, a gracious willing guest,' and goes on to say, 'and his that gentle voice we hear, soft as the breath of even, that checks each fault, that calms each … Continue reading Quote #13 — God as He Is
Quotes of Note #5 — Baptism with the Holy Spirit
"I take it that that is abundantly clear -- you cannot be a Christian without having the Holy Spirit in you. But -- and here is the point -- I am asserting at the same time that you can be a believer, that you can have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, and still not … Continue reading Quotes of Note #5 — Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Quotes of Note #4 — The Devil
"Meanwhile, the devil also does his work, endeavoring to ruin sound doctrine by indirect means, working as it were underground, forasmuch as he could not openly attain his end." John Calvin, Letters of John Calvin: Selected from the Bonnet Edition. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1980, p. 90.
Quotes of Note #1 Healing and Redemption
". . . Jesus is working to restore the original vision of creation. Jesus starts from the innermost part of us, the seat of our relationship with God, and works outward to include our physical being. This process is like what [C. S.] Lewis called 'death working backwards,' as the ravaging effects of the Fall … Continue reading Quotes of Note #1 Healing and Redemption
Sermon #53–The Fullness of God: Alive in Christ
The Core Idea Behind this Sermon: Because Jesus Christ is "the fullness of God in bodily form," and because we are "in Christ," the transforming power of Christ's presence and identity is applied to our lives, making us genuinely new beings, who are forgiven in Christ, made alive in Christ, and who triumph in Christ … Continue reading Sermon #53–The Fullness of God: Alive in Christ
Sermon #42 — Words from the Beloved Apostle: Loving Jesus — 1 John 4:15-21
“Our great need, then, is simply Jesus Christ. He is what we need. He has what we need. He knows what we need to know. He has the ability to do in us what we cannot do – working in us that which is well-pleasing in God’s sight.” A. W. Tozer. Knowing … Continue reading Sermon #42 — Words from the Beloved Apostle: Loving Jesus — 1 John 4:15-21
Sermon #36 — Our God of Power: Creation — Colossians 1:15-20
“…theological realism: the simple, basic belief that God is that ultimate reality out of which all physical realities around us derive their existence, and that his real presence is immediately accessible to his people.” Gary Tyra, The Holy Spirit in Mission, p. 112 There is no moment, no place, no aspect of the created order … Continue reading Sermon #36 — Our God of Power: Creation — Colossians 1:15-20
Sermon #32 — Born Again — 1 John 3:4-10
I generally try not to use the phrase, "born-again Christian." It is grammatically incorrect. In principle, we add an adjective to a noun in order to provide necessary information about the thing we are talking about. For example, if there are several dogs in the yard, I might refer to the "spotted dog," in order … Continue reading Sermon #32 — Born Again — 1 John 3:4-10
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 